Many Christians come to faith with one or both of the following expectations:

“I am a child of God. God loves me. Therefore nothing bad will happen to me; or at least the ‘bad’ will be short lived and not that severe.”

Or

“I am a child of God. God loves me. So I will never suffer lack for anything I want.”

The reality is that Christians do experience “bad” and “lack” in life. At times the “bad” and “lack” are so bad that it shakes the foundation of their faith. Many times our emotions act as thick clouds preventing us from seeing the hand of God in our situation, understanding His ways, or sensing any hope. Sometimes the “bad” and “lack” lead us to question the existence or goodness of God.

On the eve before his death, Jesus told his disciples that they would experience trouble, but to take heart for He had overcome the world. (John 16:33). If we study the lives of others (Joseph, David, the apostle Paul and Silas, etc.) we see that hardship, to some degree, is part of the Christian experience. This raises several key questions:

1. How should I respond to my current trial?

2. What can I learn about God and His ways?

3. Where am I in my personal relationship with Him?

4. Is there anything from the Bible that can help me now, even though parts were written over three thousand years ago?

The studies in “Victory” course are designed to address these questions. They are designed to inform, encourage, and provide hope.

This blog provides excerpts from the “Victory” course.  My hope is that you will find encouragement through the studies and a deeper relationship with the Lord.